March 2021

Sometimes I think we take the fact that we are followers of Christ for granted and fail to share with others how we got on this path of faith with Jesus. It's very possible many of you were raised in the church and have grown up in the Christian faith, but many people can at least think of a moment or two that they realized they wanted to walk with Jesus more seriously. This may not yet be the case or may be hard to identify for many of our students, so parents I would like you to share this with your kids this week. Consider the following questions when talking through this. 

When did you decide to walk with Jesus and actually take your faith seriously?

How did it come to be?

What happened before?

What seemed to change afterward? 

Pray together asking God to continue writing your story and revealing his glory to you throughout the years. 

Our testimonies are not only about how we came to know Christ, but also how the Spirit is continually working in our lives. When we choose a life with Jesus the Holy Spirit dwells within us and guides us in our life and faith walk. We may not feel like this is the case in our everyday lives but once in awhile, we can see clearly how the Spirit is working within us. It could be a moment where we feel as if a weight has been lifted off our shoulders or God has helped us to make a decision or see something more clearly. It may be that we experienced or witnessed some sort of miracle. It could be an answered prayer. Sometimes we're able to look back on times in our lives and see how God was at work during that season of our life, even if it was a season of suffering. The Lord moves in all kinds of ways and everyone's story is different. 

So your task for this week is to talk through some ways you have seen God work in your lives. It may help to brainstorm together. Often when we hear other people's stories it could remind us of aspects of our own story. Think about some of the ways God works that I mentioned above. What stands out? How has God worked in your life? 

When you've finished this conversation pray together thanking God for his faithfulness and presence in your lives! 

"My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

     of your saving acts all day long--

     though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,

          Sovereign Lord;

     I will proclaim your righteous deeds,

          yours alone.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

     and to this day I declare your marvelous

          deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

     do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

     your mighty acts to all who are to come."

                                                                Psalm 71:15-18

 

The older people in our lives have a lot to teach us and they're almost always eager to do so. It is believed that David wrote the Psalm quoted above. Just as David longed to tell the world the many ways God had worked in his life the older people in our lives would most likely want the same. This week talk to your grandparents, or even great grandparents about their walk with Christ. If this doesn't work for you, reach out to an older member of our church or community and ask them about their walk with Jesus. It may be helpful to use some questions we've covered in the last couple weeks. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

                                                                                                                                       James 1:2-4

 

Even people we look up to and view as being super spiritual have gone through hard times, take David, a man after God's own heart, for instance. He wrote many of the Psalms and clearly seemed to have his fair share of struggles and trials.  Job's faith was tested through the trial of losing his whole family. The Bible has many examples of people wrestling with God through these trials and many of us will experience this ourselves sometime. Hearing how the people we look up to turned to God during challenging times can be helpful to us when we meet trials on our own walk with Jesus. Try to find a video of a pastor or Christian celebrity that you look up to as they tell a part of their story. Talk about what you can learn from their story and how you can use their story to help you on your own journey. 

Pray that God helps us to learn from the stories of others throughout our lives. 

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you."

                                                                                                                                            John 16:12-15

 

It can be hard to see how God is working in our lives at times. Just like we have to exercise our muscles for sports, we also have to exercise spiritual muscles so these things can become more natural. This week take the time at the end of each day to think through how God was at work throughout your day. This may be a challenge but remember the Spirit can reveal things to us in all kinds of ways. Maybe we read something in Scripture or someone said something to us, or we just had a good day. Think about why it was a good day, how did God provide for you, or show his faithfulness throughout the day.  Check-in with each other regularly throughout the week sharing some of the things you have noted. 

Before you begin the week take some time to pray together asking God to reveal his works to you throughout the week.